Delivery schedule

OPAL shutdown schedule update

17 May 2024

ANSTO’s multi-purpose reactor OPAL was shut down in March as part of an essential maintenance and upgrade program. Below, please find the latest update.
 
Shutdown schedule
This planned shutdown is the most significant maintenance and upgrade program in OPAL’s history.  These activities include replacement of the First Reactor Protection System (FRPS) and replacement of the Cold Neutron Source (CNS).
 
To prepare for this first-of-a-kind program, ANSTO built a full-size reactor mock-up that allowed our teams to practice and refine the required procedures over a two-year period. However, in the real-time delivery and unique live reactor environment, we have found several of the process steps have taken longer than anticipated.
 
With safety driving every decision we make, based on the data we have now, the shutdown timeline has been adjusted. We are currently planning to conclude the shutdown activities in late July and return OPAL to power in early August, allowing our teams to maintain the pre-determined August reactor schedule.

Nuclear medicine supply
ANSTO has experienced minor supply disruptions to date and is pleased to report that 90.2% of nuclear medicine products are being supplied to ANSTO in full and on time.
 
We are in continual contact with our international suppliers and logistics providers to ensure we maintain a reliable supply of Mo-99/Tc-99m, Lu-177 and I-131 during this planned long shutdown, subject to these supplier's product availability and logistics.
 
This extension in the shutdown period will now delay the resumption of supply of Chromium until September 2024. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will continue to provide regular updates to you.
 
Project milestones and achievements
A number of project milestones have now been achieved including the successful CNS removal from the reactor pool, one of the most important milestones of the program, and the commissioning of OPAL’s FRPS.
 
The planned simultaneous maintenance at our Nuclear Medicine Processing and Distribution Facility remains on schedule with the facility due to be back in operation early June 2024.
 
We will continue to send you regular updates. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our team via health@ansto.gov.au

I-131 Capsules

16 May 2024

Our international partner for I-131 has resumed supply and I-131 Therapy Capsules will be
available for delivery week commencing 27 May 2024.
 
Customers are requested to place orders for that week by 1pm Wednesday 22 May 2024,
for delivery from Wednesday 29 May 2024.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions via health@ansto.gov.au

I-131 Capsules

13 March 2024

ANSTO has now completed investigation into the identified appearance defect observed in a small number of Sodium (I-131) 50-6000MBq Therapy Capsules, which we advised Customers of on 5 June 2023. 

Following our review, ANSTO has obtained TGA approval and implemented supplementary strengthening into the capsule gelatine casing.

From 18 March 2024, all I-131 Therapy Capsules will include the supplementary strengthening and will again be available to order in the following sizings. 

•    Small capsules 50-600MBq at calibration
•    Large capsules 700-6000MBq at calibration

Please reach out to our team via health@ansto.gov.au if you have any further questions.